Perinatal: 1 questionnaire and rating scale
Perinatal questionnaires are psychometric tools that explore mood, anxiety and the parent-infant bond during pregnancy and the postpartum period. They support the early identification of psychological difficulties and monitoring during this vulnerable period.
PPEI
Post-Partum Experience Inventory
This exploratory questionnaire describes a parent's psychological experience after a birth: mood, worries, intrusive thoughts about the baby, the experience of childbirth, the bond with the baby, fatigue and support, identity, and the couple relationship. It helps clarify postpartum distress beyond depression, such as pervasive anxiety, obsessive thoughts, or a traumatic birth experience, and choose the focus of care.
Frequently asked questions
When should these questionnaires be offered in the perinatal period?
They can be offered during pregnancy as well as postpartum. Screening at several points helps track how mood and anxiety change over the period.
Do these scales only concern the mother?
No. While many target the person who gave birth, perinatal psychological difficulties also affect the co-parent, and the parent-infant bond deserves attention.
Does a high score mean depression?
No. A score above the cutoff signals the need for a more thorough assessment; it does not make a diagnosis, which remains clinical and takes the context into account.
Perinatal mental health in clinical practice
Pregnancy and the postpartum period bring physical, emotional and relational upheaval, which can trigger or reactivate psychological difficulties. Perinatal depression and anxiety are common and affect the parent, the baby and the bond between them.
Scales support early identification and the monitoring of mood and anxiety over this period. They complement the clinical interview and the attention paid to the parent-infant bond.
- A period of heightened psychological vulnerability for the parent.
- Early identification of depressive and anxiety symptoms is valuable.
- Stay attentive to the parent-infant bond and to suicide risk.